Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I refer to your email response received earlier today.

The time and circumstances of my initiation in 2018, were by way of ritvik initiation, with a local gurukuli who performed the ceremony (cannot place his name now), at New Govardhana, Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia. Mukunda Goswami chanted on my beads on your behalf. It was all done through proper channels so there should be a corresponding entry in your disciples book unless I got the date wrong.

I am neither a great nor consistent communicator, and was last engaged in full-time service at Simhachalam, Germany in 2023. There is a video of a class I gave there if that helps.

Upon returning to Australia I recommenced working as a lawyer in Melbourne, Australia until December 2024, when for an strange administrative reason, my licence was revoked. (I'm thinking it was Krishna's handiwork to get me back on the straight and narrow).

I now need your instruction as to how to proceed with my devotional life. As I am now 51 years of age (that went quick), I am no longer enamoured with the notion of gaining wealth and prestige in law and / or getting married, and could be happy just cooking at a Govinda's restaurant or simple temple service.

I have communicated my interest to rejoin the New Govardhana temple as a brahmacari to Ajita Prabhu, but my friend, Mathuradis das Adhikary, has urged me to appeal the decision (that appears to be not legally sound), and at least try to get my practising licence back.

Alternatively, you could kindly give me an instruction, so that I may offer you some specific direct service or ongoing duty to perform. I am presently saving money in Inverness, Scotland, but may be of use in Europe as I speak fluent German and also speak intermediate French. I have passports for the UK and Australia.

Presently I am struggling for direction and would greatly benefit from your instruction.

Your aspiring servant,

Janardan-hari dasa.

HpS - At, agtSP, 78-years American of age, it is a miracle that we remember our own name.

Do you follow us on WhatsApp group?

Beginning to remember you!

Where is Mukunda Goswami?

Mathuradish is carpenters?

Where from is he?

Can't give much detailed advice without being detailed associate but Canakya Pandita comments that victory comes from good advice and good advice comes from many counselors.

Main focus is get up early and get your rounds done.

O. K.?

Dear Gurudeva,

I hope you are in good health and enjoying your journey through Chile.

HpS/ASA - 🐵 🐷 AgtSP. This body does not get diseases, this body is a disease. 🙂

Sankirtan in Chile is intense. I guess just like for you!

I know it has been a long time since my last letter, but please know that I always keep you in my meditations and remain close to your teachings.

At this time I am about to complete two years living in New Vrindavan. Here I continue doing service to the Deities, and every time we have the opportunity to attend Nrisimhadeva, I offer a prayer for you. I have recently also taken on the responsibility of the Gift Shop and the warehouse. We receive thousands of pilgrims each year and we do everything possible to ensure they have the best experience during their visit.

As it was not possible for me to accompany Rohini to her Vyasa Puja, I am planning together with Lalita Madhava to visit you in Houston from April 2nd to 8th. I very much look forward to enjoying a little of your association and having the opportunity to serve you in some way during those days.

With love and respect at your lotus feet,

Saranagati Dasi

HpS - So.... SO... S O ..... Nice to hear from you and your news about New Vrndavana. We are just starting to work on our Calendar for April, May, June+ I think it is very certain we will be in Houston those dates, but we also want to visit Nashville and Richmond later.

Who is Lalita Madhava? From Chile???

Hare Krsna Gurudev

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please Accept my humble obeisances to your feet. 

Gurudev, we really miss you in Argentina. We hope to be part of your itinerary on your next visit. I can help with the organization in Buenos Aires if you agree to bless us with your presence.

Here I am working hard, with many family and work responsibilities, and lovingly caring for Tulasi Vrinda, who has just turned two (terrible twos). I am slowly trying to return to my sadhana, but always with the desire alive in my heart to serve you and Krishna.

I watch your videos or look at your picture and show my daughter that you are Gurudev, so now you have another aspirant 😅

My daughter has become a source of devotional inspiration. We were teaching her not to accept food from strangers on the street, and we asked her, "When someone gives you a cookie on the street, what should you say?" Instead of the resounding "no" we expected, she replied, "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna!" She was going to offer it, haha. I found it a very sweet anecdote, and at the same time, it revealed a bit about her consciousness. Even as a baby, she was already thinking about Krishna, and that was very motivating for me as her mother.

I'm getting back into my japa, I'm following the principles and trying to stay firm in my devotion. It's been a little difficult for me to attend the temple, but the times we go I feel very grateful. Tulasi doesn't enjoy it as much yet because there are a lot of people and she's not used to it.

N. Gourananda also accompanies her so she can develop an interest in the music.

Thank you, Gurudev, for reading my letter and for the WhatsApp channels where we can see your updates. We adore you with all our hearts and hope to see you soon.

Your servant

Rati Mañjari DD

(traducido con Google Translate)

HpS - Thank you!

Chant 16-nice rounds for you baby, so she can grow up to be a perfectly pure person and do wonderful things for society.

All respects to N. Gaura Ananda Das. Buenos Aires temple.

Hope you can go much much more.

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja.

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias sean para Srila Prabhupada.

Espero que se encuentre muy dichoso en conciencia de Krsna junto a los santos en el lugar santo.

Le escribo para contarle que tuvimos la visita de SS Bhakti Sundar Goswami y de SS Purusatraya Swami. Participamos de los programas junto a la familia.

Hemos estado en reuniones con la familia espiritual para la organización de Su visita. Las cosas han ido avanzando.

También le quiero comentar que estoy tomando clases de mrdanga y los niños de armonio, así que estamos visitando el templo casi cada domingo.

Comenzaré un nuevo curso de discípulos y estamos armando nuevo curso Bhakti Sastri.. por favor deme Sus bendiciones para poder lograrlo.

Estamos muy cansados... es difícil que los niños duerman temprano porque hace mucho calor, entonces no estamos descansando bien.

Adjunto algunas fotografías de los programas.

Su aspirante a sirviente

Priyasakhi Devi Dasi

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Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja.

Please accept my respectful obeisances.

All glories be to Srila Prabhupada.

I hope you are very blissful in Krishna consciousness with the saints in the holy place.

HpS - Of course, agtSP, we have come back from India and Spain, and are now with you all in your physical forms here in Chile.

During all these times we sometimes feel blissful. It is not because of any physical circumstance usually. It is just more and more our condition.

Usually we feel like we should do our duty and go to Mangala arati. Chant our rounds early. Write in the Blog or die.

Of course, chanting, dancing, Blogging, has very nice aspects, and we feel that is cleaning our heart little, by little, by little at a deep level.

I am writing to tell you that we had a visit from His Holiness Bhakti Sundar Goswami and His Holiness Purusatraya Swami. We participated in the programs with the family.

We have been meeting with the spiritual family to organize His visit. Things have been progressing.

I also want to tell you that I am taking mrdanga lessons and the children are taking harmonium lessons, so we are visiting the temple almost every Sunday.

HpS - Kids need smaller harmoniums, no? 🙂

I will be starting a new disciples' course and we are putting together a new Bhakti Sastri course. Please give me Your blessings so that I can accomplish this.

We are very tired... it is difficult for the children to go to sleep early because it is so hot, so we are not getting enough rest.

HpS - Death is God's way of saying, you have to get more rest. 😊

I've attached some photos from the programs.

HpS - They are so, nice. Thank you.

Your aspiring servant,

Priyasakhi Devi Dasi

HpS - This Congress has been so intense! Cannot remember anything more intense. Now maybe we have a few days rest and chance to talk of other things.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to this wonderful Gauranga sankirtana that is saving my life, for if I had never known ISKCON, my life would be meaningless.

Please accept my humble obeisances at your wonderful lotus feet, which are my eternal refuge. Dear Gurudeva, I am infinitely grateful to you for receiving your beautiful association; it has truly helped me so much.

I have recovered my 16 rounds and my sadhana, which I was losing a little. You and Maharaj Yadunandana Swami have given me back my life, and I feel very happy in Krishna consciousness.

My life has no meaning without spiritual life and without the association of the devotees, and above all, the connection with the guru is very important. I felt that I reconnected with you.

Thank you very much. Dear Gurudeva, I am not a good person; my character has become difficult, but if I can say something good about myself, it is that I have unwavering faith in Krishna, the guru, and the devotees.

I would never leave this connection. In every moment, good or bad, I have never thought of leaving ISKCON, so I will always try to hold on as tightly as possible to Prabhupada's and your dhoti. My health is not good right now; I have too much stress and anxiety, perhaps due to my very high thyroid levels, but I am going to cure myself with Ayurvedic medicine, japa mala meditation, sadhana, deity worship, and Hatha yoga.

I have a tendency not to express what I feel and to keep my pain to myself and not talk about it, but I feel that this affects my thyroid even more, so I will try not to stress myself and express myself better.

HpS - Jaya!

And my current partner gives me a lot of affection, helps me in my spiritual life, makes it easy for me to travel and do parikrama in India, I receive from him the affection of both a mother and a father 😅, and I feel that my life depends on him.

He provides me with a lot of protection, so I'm fine in that sense. Please forgive me if I don't talk much in person sometimes, but I want you to know that I admire, respect, and appreciate you very much, Gurudeva.

It's been 15 years since my initiation, with ups and downs in my spiritual and material life, but my faith is always loyal to Srila Prabhupada and to you. Thank you for these 15 years of connection to Sanatana Dharma. I know that your body is tired, especially your eyes and ears, but please forgive me for sending a rather long letter this time, and I will make the next one shorter. Thank you very much for your love, care, and protection that you are providing to all of us. Thank you for helping us advance in our spiritual life little by little, because without a guru, nothing is possible in this world, absolutely nothing. Your disciple who clings to your lotus feet, Nadiya Nivasi Dasi.

HpS - AgtSP! Thank you for your association. From our point of view you seem to be doing O.K.

Yes, ups and downs, but I don't know if I could have done better if I were in your position.

Even if we don't perfect our service in this life we will take our progress to the next life.

Become a pure devotee as soon as possible!

Hare Krsna!!!!

Send us more news as things develop.

Think you have many interested readers here.

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We have moved to Dallas Guru Maharaj. We moved here first week of February and our house in Atlanta sold on 23rd February. By Kalachandji's mercy, the house sold in record time for the area. We also found a house for rent in walking distance to the temple. 823 S Beacon st, Dallas. So everything worked out nicely by your and Kalachandji's mercy.

HpS/ASA - Hare Krsna. In walking distance of Goloka.

Now we are able to visit the temple everyday and our sadhana has also become much better because of that. We are in the association of devotees everyday which helps us focus better on bhakti.

I had a question Guru Maharaj. Sometimes they don't have speakers for the evening Bhagavad Gita class and they asked me if i can give class but i told them I'll start after i finish my Bhakti Sastri which I'll finish this September or October. Should i wait until i get my bhakti sastri or should i try to start giving class? I dont know if i am qualified to give class Guru Maharaj. Please guide me.

HpS - Yes. Just read the purport with attention and then discuss it with the participants. If you finish that then go to the next verse or another verse and read it.

Simple.

Effective.

Your humble servant,

Sri Rama Krishna Das

HpS - Lettuce look at some more Blog posts, no?

It is 7.26PM here in Santiago.

85 degrees.

Congress on Education was super, super, super intense. Thousands of participants, leaders, Spanish, Three Sannyasis.

Our body is very old and delicate.

Krsna keeps allowing us to make little, unique contributions.

We see so, so, so many problems in ISKCON. This is natural, no? We see that hamoniums, accordions can deviate us to sense gratification from hearing the Holy Names.

Have to be used with care, no?